Shaun bartender , very outstanding!!! Greeted us as we walked in. The music, vibes , energy is…read morephenomenal. Im grateful to be here im glad this spot upgraded. Customer service is superb. Totally 11 outta 10 recommend . I will definitely be back to this place.

My first time visiting. Very nice place with very nice attentive folks working!…read more I had the spicy shrimp flatbread and it was delicious! Will definately be back.

This was such a great experience for me and my friends. I am a huge kava enthusiast and was so…read moreexcited to show my friends who've never had, the traditional way. They've only ever tried it in chocolate or tea. This place was better than I was expecting. The feel of it was just like many kava bars I've been to in tropical areas and also has an outdoor area. The guy who served us our kava was very knowledgeable about kava and its history and showed us the way they take it on the island! I've always known the other way where you say bula, the Fiji way. He was great to talk to and have us some good stories about the island and the bar. I highly recommend trying this place whether you have been curious about kava or already a a kava lover. Located in a cute town with lots to give. I will visit again if I'm on the island!

always a happy experience. super nice people. relaxing, cozy , creative and curious environment…read more(with great lighting). lots of seating indoor and outdoor. options to draw with lots of blank paper and markers. really great and unique selection of kombucha, kava items and more :) i have social anxiety but always feel comfortable and welcomed here :)

A solid neighborhood spot with a few standouts and some room to grow…read more We've been to Kaleo's a few times now, and we'll definitely keep coming back. It's close, there's always parking, and it's got that laid-back, local energy where you can laugh loud and no one's going to shoot you a look. It does get loud inside, but in that kind of way that makes it feel like everybody's having a good time, not like you're in a cafeteria. Just don't expect a quiet dinner conversation, unless you're reading lips. The service? Always sweet, always kind. Lily (I think that's the correct spelling!) has taken care of us more than once and she's a gem... warm, attentive, and easy to chat with. She's the kind of person who remembers what you ordered last time and tells you honestly what's good. As for the food... Bacon Blue Burger: My husband had this last time and it was yum. Juicy, flavorful, hits all the right rich notes without being greasy. That one's a solid order. Ribs: The barbecue sauce was really good... but the ribs themselves were dry and overdone. Not terrible, but not what I'd call a win either. If they could just dial in the texture, that sauce would carry it home. Kalbi Short Ribs: Best thing on the menu so far. Tender, rich, and full of flavor. Get those. Mashed Potatoes: "All mash" is the move. They're creamy and comforting... total comfort food. Hamburger Steak: Another standout. Probably one of the best in the area. Classic done right. Thai Chicken Pasta: Watch out... it's got some serious heat! Spicy, but good. Not for the faint of tongue, but worth it if you're into that kind of kick. Lilikoi Fizz: Really tasty but heavy on the lilikoi. If they eased up and added a little more club soda, it would be more balanced. Desserts: * Lava Cake was good... warm and classic. * Chocolate Decadent Cake was just okay. It comes fridge-cold (probably so it doesn't melt), but I feel like if they let it sit out for ten minutes before serving, it would be way better. * Brownie Sundae was yum, according to my husband... and I trust his dessert radar. All in all, Kaleo's is the kind of place you root for. You want them to keep getting better, and they mostly are. The hits are worth coming back for, and even the misses aren't deal-breakers. We'll be back, and we're excited to keep trying more of the menu.

Big birthday for me & hungry husband treated me to a trip to "Moku O Keawe" to visit our na…read moremo'opuna @ their new home! Eldest son suggested this nice bar & grill. Food choices were plentiful, lots of fancy drinks to choose from. This is an open restaurant where it's open air backyard kind of feeling. Feels like an old fashioned Lu'au!!! Acoustics are a bit loud because everyone is out talking each other. Parking is in the lot in the back. It's free if u no mind da "coqui " frogs!!! Would love to return & try other dishes! Ka ono! Our nine year old grandson ordered "Coconut shrimp & fries "-- no not from keiki menu--braddah can mop it up !!! I ordered a steak plate (4 got da name) . Son ordered a sautéed fish platter & hungry husband had a fancy kine,thick burger & we were all jealous! The wait for everything was a bit long; to wait for someone to take our order, bring back the drinks & very long before we got our food. Waitress was apologetic & sincere. We didn't mind. Extra points if you're like dat!!! On the cash wrap counter some Hawai'ian arts & crafts were displayed.....oh sistah! I gotta go lookie!!! He he he !!! Clay/foam like tropical flowers for your hair,laser cut wooden earrings,stationary & more! My dashing men (husband,son & grandson) let me oogle because they all know I support local artisans. Because I'm an "artsy-fartsy " myself!!! (I create all kine art) A few days lataz....was talking story wit my cousin & found out he was the fish cutter there a few years ago ! Loved dis place!!! Hope it does well!!!

We were recommended this place for good, fresh local Hawaiian Poke. We had to drive a little, since…read moreit's a little outside Hilo's city limits, but it was worth it. We were in the mood for Poke and rather than get it at the local market, we decided to check out 'Bite the Eye'. And if it kinda looks like someone cleared a field, threw down some gravel and put up a metal shed, that's exactly what they did! Albeit nicely done and very clean! A group of young folks starting a poke business and they nailed it! Good Poke, at a unique place you will remember and everyone is very nice! And since Poke was too 'exotic' for my young daughter, was happy to see they had Burgers and Nachos on the menu! I would recommend you check this place out.

Best Local Grindz in Puna - Support This Inspiring Business!…read more Last night, we finally dined in at Bite the Eye, and let me tell you--it was worth every bite! We've ordered takeout before (because let's be real, when you find local fresh fish, you don't let that go), but stepping into their shipping container-turned-restaurant was a whole different experience. Vibes? Immaculate. Food? Busted my mouth. The Setup: A Unique Industrial-Rustic Dream This isn't just a restaurant--it's a masterclass in entrepreneurship. Owners Christine and Kaiana built a fully functional commercial kitchen inside a shipping container while transforming another into a stylish dining/bar space. The open-air setup with a heavy-duty tent, rustic wood, custom murals, and ambient lighting creates the most relaxing, family-friendly dining experience we've had in a long time. And get this--they're bringing in karaoke and open mic nights soon! You already know I'm coming back ready to SING & GRIND. The Food: Fresh, Local, Made With Hustle My husband, a culinary genius (and harshest food critic), was blown away by the flavors. The fish is locally sourced, the sauces are next-level, and there's something for every palate--from fresh poke to comforting island favorites. Why You NEED to Support Them Christine and Kaiana aren't just business owners; they're hustlers fighting to do things the right way. They've jumped through every legal hoop to make this dream happen for their community, and it shows in every detail--from the seamless teamwork in the kitchen to the warm, welcoming vibe. ‍‍‍ Perfect for Families As a family of six, we don't just go anywhere. But here? Kid-friendly, safe, and stress-free. The space is tucked away from the main road, and even better--they have a friendly dog that played fetch with the kids. My Final Take? If you love fresh fish, support local, and want to experience something new, you need to go. And if you haven't yet--GO NOW. Thank me later. Bite the Eye - Puna, Hawai'i 5/5 - Will be back (and probably singing at karaoke night) This shipping container restaurant is changing the game in Puna! Fresh local fish, chill vibes, and coming soon--karaoke?! You NEED to try this place. #SupportLocal

5 stars for mozzarella sticks in a hurry. When the craving kicks in & they can get it out to you in…read more3 min and in a to go box $10 for 12 of them

Margarita Village LLC was totally not what I was expecting. I figured my boyfriend and I would walk…read morein to a Jimmy Buffet feeling type bar, but were instead walked in to a dive bar! Granted, the outside looks a little rough. There's mostly neon signs looking out at you from the dark inside. When you walk in, you'll notice the floors are concrete and that there are pool tables. Walking in, it seemed like the place has seen better days. However, looking at everyone in the bar, they all seemed like someone you could easily strike up a conversation with. My boyfriend and I were mostly looking forward to trying a margarita. We both ended up with a POG margarita. If you're unfamiliar with what POG juice is, it is Pineapple, Orange, and Guava juices mixed together. While the margarita was very strong, overall it was a delicious drink! We even got to try Lihing mui powder. If you go, look it up and ask for a glass rimmed with it! There is no air conditioning within the bar but we'd been there after sunset and didn't really feel hot. The bartender Kya? Kia? was so wonderful! After checking out the reviews, I did see some negative Nancy's on the platform talking about how this felt like a 'locals only' place. When I walked in, I made sure to strike up conversation with Kya and asked how her day was. Everyone on the island realizes you are probably vacationing. I was treated so wonderfully and Kya even gave me a recommendation for a hike in the national park. Be so kind to people and you will always make a friend! If dive bars are your thing, definitely check out Margarita Village! The margs are plenty!

Local dive bar for regular Pau Hana's!…read more This place was made for the local aunties and uncles. We came here after work on a Friday Night. Right away Aunty Joy greeted us with her pretty smile! Got us our drinks and gave us pupus! She made her rounds regularly and talked story with us between rounds. So sweet. Had live music playing and had the most fun time with the later waitresses that came in for their night shift. This is a mom and pop dive bar. Less Michelin star and more homey feel. Defs go back and talk story with aunty!

Awesome hole in the wall place. Was looking for a late night tasty beverage and it did not…read moredisappoint. Beer is cold, place is clean, bartender (wish I woulda gotten her name) was welcoming and very sincere. Will be coming back !

I had The Hidden Nene bookmarked when I was planning out my trip to Hilo and I couldn't be happier…read morewith my experience at the speakeasy. My wife and I stopped by for pre-dinner drinks and we absolutely loved the drinks that we were able to try out. I started out with a cocktail called the "Spam Dram", a crispy Spam fat-washed barrel-proof bourbon, combined with seared Spam and nori syrup and topped off with a spam musubi garnish. As one might guess, this drink was presented in a spam musubi tin, and atop the bed of crushed ice was an *entire* spam musubi. The drink was a perfect representation of spam musubi in a glass -- sweet, savory, and full of umami. Props to whichever bartender put together this creative drink. The next drink I ordered was the "Smoky Bear", another bourbon based cocktail. This one had bird's eye chili essence in it, and was much closer than your traditional Old Fashioned, except it had an incredible amount of smokiness and a punch of heat to it as well. If you enjoy stiff drinks with complexity, look no further than this cocktail. While we were seated at the bar, we overheard somebody close to us mentioning a password special that had been posted on the Instagram page of The Hidden Nene. We checked their latest story posted two hours earlier and the password special for the day was a "fizz me baby one more time", a strawberry and yuzu gin fizz. My wife ordered this cocktail as her second drink and loved how refreshing the drink tasted. Overall, if you consider yourself a cocktail connoisseur, you owe it to yourself to check out The Hidden Nene if you're in Hilo.

The coastal town of Hilo hides the fantastic speakeasy, The Hidden Nēnē. Head down the stairs by…read morethe green door, and it becomes less hidden, and you can see the sign for the basement level bar. The underground space is low green lighting, a long bar, and green velvet bar chairs. We went during the day, so they were not busy, and were able to sit at the bar. The service was quick, relaxed, and friendly. The cocktails are upscale priced, but well made. They do offer a full food menu, we did not order any food on our visit.

New owners within the last few months and you can tell they're doing great. Awesome live music…read more(full reggae band) on the weekend and friendly staff! It's BYOP (pupu) so we saw someone order pizza from the Pizza Hut nearby. The owners also handed out some pupu to every table. Great vibes for locals.

give a big shout out to the new of this bar! They have completely returned this bar around from a…read moredive bar that was chill to a great sports bar with great vibes. If you're looking for a place to play pool or karaoke on Tuesdays live music on Fridays and Saturdays or just a place to vibe with friends and watch college football, NFL, NBA,playoff baseball this is your spot. The people are great. The bartenders are great and the drink specials are great every night.!